Freedom Frisks at the Olympics

[expatpumpkin]

In case you're curious about how they're handling security... We went to an Olympics soccer match yesterday - some events have already started, pre-Opening Ceremony - and the security measures included the following:

- Search of all bags
- Purses/backpacks, etc. were put into large, clear plastic bags and then tied. You weren't supposed to open the plastic bag again until leaving the stadium.
- Smaller plastic bags were handed out to carry important stuff (phone, medicines, wallet, cameras, etc.). Whatever fit in the small plastic bag was all you could access while in the stadium. (I don't know what the protocol is for diaper bags, etc.)
- Full on freedom frisk, airport-style

We watched Mexico vs. South Korea and the atmosphere was AMAZING. So many fans in their festive Mexican and Korean regalia. The match tied at 0-0 and it was a mutual celebration - Mexican and Korean fans dancing together in the street afterwards. So much fun.

[dulcemariamar]

What time did you show up to the stadium?
I wonder how they are going to go through all this for the opening ceremony tonight. Do you have to show up hours before?

[expatpumpkin]

We got there about 30 minutes before the match. The lines weren't bad at all - it seemed that many people may have actually arrived earlier because there were lots of fans in the stadium by the time we got to our seats. So if there were long waits, we must have just missed them.

This was in Newcastle, however, and the stadium was not full. I can only imagine that this will take longer in London since there are just a lot more people/events here.

Yes, I think you're supposed to show up at the OC hours in advance, and I'm sure the security will be much tougher there. Scanners, etc. We're watching the OC from the comfort of our favorite local
pub

[Deleted]

Im so glad I am not in the UK!

[dulcemariamar]

Jul 27, 2012 6:59:09 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Does anyone really have an issue with this? I usually don't read TSA posts because I know I don't agree with anyone in them, but do people really have a problem with tight security at the Olympics?

I have no problem with tight security but I was just wondering how it was going to be logistically possible for so many people to go through such tight security.

[expatpumpkin]

Jul 27, 2012 6:59:09 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Does anyone really have an issue with this? I usually don't read TSA posts because I know I don't agree with anyone in them, but do people really have a problem with tight security at the Olympics?

No, I don't have a problem with it. An Olympic event would be a peach of a terrorist target, so this is all fine with me. We're going to several events and obviously want to be safe.

[Deleted]

I would have expected the frisk, but the bag thing is pretty hardcore!!! I bet the TSA is taking notes....no purses on planes next year!

[emmybean]

The purses in plastic bags things seems silly.

As if a terrorist or other criminal would be thwarted by a plastic bag tied in a knot. It's actually kind of funny.

[wawa]

Jul 27, 2012 8:13:31 GMT -5 emmybean said:

The purses in plastic bags things seems silly.

As if a terrorist or other criminal would be thwarted by a plastic bag tied in a knot. It's actually kind of funny.

yeah, this is what I was thinking too. What is this actually intended to prevent?

[Deleted]

Jul 27, 2012 6:59:09 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Does anyone really have an issue with this? I usually don't read TSA posts because I know I don't agree with anyone in them, but do people really have a problem with tight security at the Olympics?

I don't, but then attending the Olympics is a lot different than flying for travel.

[expatpumpkin]

Jul 27, 2012 8:16:44 GMT -5 wawa said:

Jul 27, 2012 8:13:31 GMT -5 emmybean said:

The purses in plastic bags things seems silly.

As if a terrorist or other criminal would be thwarted by a plastic bag tied in a knot. It's actually kind of funny.

yeah, this is what I was thinking too. What is this actually intended to prevent?

I agree! It's not as if they were really "watching us" in the stadium closely enough to prevent me from untying the knot! I mean, if I REALLY needed my chapstick that knot would have been untied!

Not sure what the point was; the bags seemed really silly to me as well.

[meshaliuknits]

Jul 27, 2012 8:16:44 GMT -5 wawa said:

Jul 27, 2012 8:13:31 GMT -5 emmybean said:

The purses in plastic bags things seems silly.

As if a terrorist or other criminal would be thwarted by a plastic bag tied in a knot. It's actually kind of funny.

yeah, this is what I was thinking too. What is this actually intended to prevent?

I would love to know the answer to that. As far as I can tell all it's preventing is me getting to my chapstick.

[lahoagie]

I wonder if it is more that every bag that was searched was put in a plastic bag. People are told to not untie it to ensure that all of the searched bags stay in a plastice bag. So if you see somebody with a bag by itself, then you know it was not searched. Just a thought.

[Nonny]

And what exactly happens to you if you untie the knot and access your stuff? I'm guessing nothing, right? That seems entirely pointless and wasteful.

[meshaliuknits]

Jul 27, 2012 13:49:53 GMT -5 lahoagie said:

I wonder if it is more that every bag that was searched was put in a plastic bag. People are told to not untie it to ensure that all of the searched bags stay in a plastice bag. So if you see somebody with a bag by itself, then you know it was not searched. Just a thought.

Or someone disregarded instructions and took it out of the plastic bag. Which is what I would assume.